Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on Thursday proposed a new plan to disperse a portion of the state’s unused coronavirus relief funds.
Wolf’s plan would appropriate $500 million of the state’s available $2 billion for direct payments of up to $2,000 to certain households throughout the state.
Specifically, individuals would be eligible to receive the money if the household brings in an income of $80,000 per year or less.
When detailing the need to use the coronavirus funds for direct payments, Wolf blamed the rise in the cost of goods over the previous year.
“The cost of everything from gas to groceries is rising, and for Pennsylvanians living paycheck to paycheck that can mean painful decisions,” said Gov. Wolf. “Pennsylvanians deserve to be supported and the opportunity to thrive. Yet my Republican colleagues are sitting on more than $2 billion of support that will need to be returned to the federal government if they don’t pass a plan.”
In the legislature, State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Northwood) and State Representative Brian Kirkland (D-Parkside) will introduce the bill. However, in order for the provision to become law, Wolf will be required to work with Republicans, as members of the GOP control both the state House of Representatives and Senate.
“The people of Pennsylvania have proved their resiliency time after time enduring the economic hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic brought,” said Tartaglione. “Now it is time for Pennsylvania to step up and support our people, and I am excited to partner with Gov. Wolf to fight for the passage of the PA Opportunity Program. We have billions of dollars sitting in the bank, it’s time we start using it to help Pennsylvanians.”
Despite being branded as “coronavirus pandemic aid,” funds from the American Rescue Plan have been repeatedly used for unrelated matters.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tom Wolf” by Tom Wolf. CC BY 2.0.
